Hey guys/gals. Very recently purchased a 1985 Z28 Iroc Z with a 305 HO 4brl Quadrajet, 5 spd. All stock still, original paint in good shape, no rust at all, fibreglass portions very slightly faded. Previous owner has had it for 12 years and only put 23000 klms on it in those 12 years. Car now has 94,000 original. Interior is cleaner than my 2007 Escape. Apparently it has never saw snow and has not been in the rain in 12 years. Underneath sure shows it too.

So far I love it, I have noticed a light leak, I believe it is tranny fluid. The leak is pretty much smack dab in the middle right below the bottom edge/middle of the winshield. I am hearing that the worst possibility is the front seal at the torque converter is leaking. The only fix for that is to replace it and that requires a transmission removal.

I am not technically inclined, at least not enough for this job, nor do I have a garage with enough space for such an edventure. Just curious and wondering if anyone could give me a rough estimate in regards to what this would cost at a shop to have repaired.

I am also debating whether I get it fiixe before it goes into storage for the winter or in the spring. Opinions again would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Shane

 

I think your guess is correct and it could cost between $200/300 depending where you live and the estimate the shop gives you. If I remember, when I had the front seal on my 700R4 replaced it was about $285 total with parts & fluid.

 

Thanks so much for the reply. Awesome, I was thinking around 400 - 500 so that makes me happy.

 

Bbefore you take it to a shop, at least get under there with a socket wrench & check to see if all the pan bolts are tight & its not leaking there. 3 yars after I bought my GTA, the 2 holding the shifter cable bracket on, just "fell out" in the parking lot at my apartment! Stranding my car up at the Leasing Office.

Got a ride to a local dealership, bought 2 new bolts, popped them in & all is well.

Same for the rear end cover. Couple of months ago, I kept finding fluid on the ground & found half of mine were loose. Couple of them barely finger tight, after 5 years of owning the car!

 

Thanks for the help everyone. My debate now is do I get the work done before it goes into storage or do I wait until the srping when it comes out. Thing is, in the spring I am going to be excited to get it out, I do not realy want to take it out of storage and take it right to a garage, that is if there is any tranny fluid in it in the spring.

I guess the question is am I wasting my money getting it fixed and putting it into storage within two weeks after. Will it sitting so soon afterwards for so long affect the work I just had done.

I think I will try to get it in this week at least for the assessment and estimate.

 

Torque converter and 5-speed?

JamesC

 

Yes a 5 speed. OH OH is that bad thing? I am not too technically inclined unfortunately. SO I lean on forums for help, opinions, before I goto a shop so I at least have somewhat of an understanding. Are you asking if its a 5spd because if it is, I may have a more serious issue?

 

He is referring to the confusion on saying it is a 5 speed (which would have been a manual transmission for those cars) and saying it has a leaking torque converter (would would then be a 4 speed automatic car). It sounds like you have an automatic 700r4 transmission. It is a 4 speed transmission but probably has a torque converter that locks (when at cruising speed) which might give you the sensation of feeling like it shifts 5 times.